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(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. R. THURMAN.

STATION INDICATOR. No. 350,784.

Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

' LANHAMS. flu J'/ mwmlll' v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Mddel.)

E. R. THURMAN.

STATION INDICATOR.

BENNINGS.

N. PETERS. Phawuma n hnr. wnhm mn, D. C.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. R. THURMAN.

STATION INDICATOR.

Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

Witweooco UNITED STATES PATENT Erica.

EDWIN R. THURMAN, OF NASHVILLE, TEXNESSEE.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,784, dated October 12, 1886.

Application filed July 26, 1856 T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Serial No. 200,129. (Yo model.)

I transverse sectional view on the line y 3 of Be it known that I, EDWIN R. THURMAN, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the sliding a citizen of the United States, residing at I carrying-plate and the cam or tumbler for Xashvillefin the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Station Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toimprovements in sta tion-indicators; and it consists of the peculiar combination and novel construction and arrangement of the various parts for service, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved station-indicator which will inform passengers of the train of the name of the station which the train is approaching,and simultaneously sound an alarm to call or direct the attention of the passengers to the apparatus and the name of the station, thereby avoiding the necessity of having the brakeman or conductor call out the name of the station as the train approaches it.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved indicator with means whereby the indicatorribbon can be moved or fed in either a forward or reverse direction, so that the apparatus can be adapted to inform passengers of their destination, whether the train be running either forward or backward.

A further object of my invention is to provide the indicator with improved Cll1iCl1-Ill1dlever mechanism which will be automatically released from the driving-gear and returned to their normal positions when the strain or pull on the operatingcord is released, so that the apparatus is in condition for instant use at all times; and, finally, the object of my presentimprovements is to provide an improved indicator which will possess superior advantages over all others of its class that have preceded it in points of simplicity, strength and durability of construction,cheapness of manufacture, and reliability and efficiency of operation.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a stationindicator embodying my present improvements, Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the inclosing-case broken away. Fig. 3 is an end view of the device as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line a: 00 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the clutch mechanism. Fig. 6 is a vertical actuating the same.

Referring to the drawings, in which like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures,A designates the inclosing-case of my improved statioirindicator. This case may be of any approved form and material, and at its front it is provided with a viewing-opening, a, which is covered by a plate of glass or other transparent substance, so that the names of the stations on the traveling ribbon B can be very easily and readily seen through the said opening by the passen gers to inform them of their destination or of the names of the stations which the train is approaching. This ribbo'n B is of any ap proved material canvas or other suitable subst-ance-and the names of the stations of the railroad through or by which the train passes are suitably inscribed or stamped on the ribbon, preferably transversely across the face thereof.

B B designate the tbcding rolls, which are arranged one above the other and in rear of the supporting-rollers b 0-, which are arranged one above the other in like manner as the feeding-rollers. These sup'porting-rollers I) b which are fitted or supported in a suitable frame, Z)", that is rigidly affixcd within the in closing-case A, and the said rollers are arranged one above the other and immediately in rear ofthe viewing-opening in the inclosingcase A, so that the indicator traveling ribbon is exposed to view, and the names thereon can be easily discerned by the passengers seated in the cars. The roller 1) is arranged in line with the feed roller, drum, or spool B, and the roller b is arranged in like manner with the other drum or spool, 13", and the ends of the traveling ribbon are secured or affixed to the said feeding drums or spools in any suitable manner; or it may be an endless ribbon. The feed drums or spools B B are fitted on suitable shafts or pins, 1), each of the said feed drums or spools being provided at its ends with enlarged metallic heads b, one of which has a hub or projection that is provided with a central countersunk portion, in which is fitted the conical point of a binding-screw, 12 which is provided with an enlarged fingerpiece, and works in a threaded opening that are loosely journaled on suitable shafts, b,

is formed in a metallic plate, b which is rigidly affixed to a vertical support or standard, 1), within the case A. One end of each of the spools or drums is supported by the bindingscrew, and the speed or rapidity with which the drum rotates can be governed or regulated and the sleeve or hub G is extended through .or reverse direction.

the bearing-plate, so as to provide an extended bearing-surface for the spindle or shaft 1) of the drum or spool, and thus render the operation of the drum or spool very steady Oneof these hubs and bearing-plates is provided for each of the spools or drums, and the spindle or shaft of the drums is extended through the hub or sleeve and made square in crosssection, as at If in Fig. 2 of the drawings, so that the ribbon can be moved in either direction by rotating the drums or spools, this operation being effected independently of the mechanism for automatically feeding the ribbon when the train approaches or, passes a station.

To the vertical wall or partition 0 of the case, which separates the feed and supporting rolls and the ribbon from the driving mechanism, is rigidly affixed a base, D, which comprises a flat metallic plate, which is provided with suitable openings for the passage of the screws or bolts which secure the base to the partition, as will be very readily understood.

Edesignatestheshifting orsliding plate, that is supported upon the base D in any suitable manner and arranged a short distance in front of the same, so as to be out of contact therewith, to permit it to slide very freely and easily upon its supports. This shifting plate is designed to carry the operative devices or driving mechanism, and is provided for the purpose of changing the relative position of the drivinggearing to the feed drums or spools, to actuate either one or the other, and thus move the traveling ribbon in either forward The shifting plate is provided with recesses or slots at at its corners or any other suitable place, through which are passed headed pins or studs d, that are rigidly affixed in the base D, and by means of these headed pins the shifting plate is supported on the base-plate, while it is permitted to have the requisite free movement back and forth thereon for the purpose above explained. a

' F designates a rotary cam or tumbler, which is arranged at or near the lower side of the base and the shifting plate, and this cam is provided with three straight faces, f, which 1 serve to throw or move the driving-gearing key or other suitable implement in the hands of the brakeman can be passed therethrough and fitted in the cam to actuate the latter.

The cam is thus arranged in rear of and concealed from view by the shifting plate, and its angular faces f act upon a rib or flange, f,

that is arranged on the rear face of the sliding or shifting plate in such proximity to the cam that the latter will act upon them very effectively.

The shifting plate E is formed near its upper and lower sides with recesses or cut outs, which divide theplate into two portions, e e", which are connected by a cross-bar, c and in these recesses are arranged the spindles or shafts of the feed drums or spools, and of the pinions B ,that are rigidly secured on the shafts of the said drums in any suitable manner. This shifting plate is further provided with transverse openings or apertures c, in which are journaled the shafts of the driving gear-wheels, hereinafter described, and the plate has a longitudinal slot, e at the middle of the connecting-bar, through which passes a stop-pin, e, as shown in Fig. 7, to assist in limiting the movement of the said shifting plate, the said stop-pin being secured to the base D.

G and H designate the driving gear-wheels, which are journaled on suitable pins or shafts, g, which enter the openings 6 in the shifting plate and are secured thereto, and the said wheels are arranged in a vertical position on the shifting plate E, said wheels being of any suitable diameter, and they mesh or gear with one another, so that both are rotated simultaneously. The gear Wheel G is arranged on the portion 6 of the shifting plate and carried by the same, and through the center of this wheel passes a shaft or pin, 9, that is affixed rigidly in the shifting plate, the wheel being held on the shaft out of contact with the shifting plate, so that it willlrbtate very -freely. This "gear-wheel G is designed to be thrown into gear with the pinion B on the shaftof the upper feed drum or spool, B, to rotate the latter and the traveling ribbon in one direction, and the gear-wheel H is designed to be thrown into mesh or gear with the pinion B on the shaft of the feed drum. or spool B 'at' the lower side of the apparatus, to rotate or feed the latter and the ribbon in the other or for apurpose presently described, and through this hub passes a shaft or pin, h, which is secured in one of the openings 6* 01' theshifting' plate, the wheel H being arranged out of contact with the plate, or substantially so, where by it will rotate very freely and easily on its shaft. This driving-wheel is further provided with a rim or flange, h, which projects later l ally therefrom and incloses the hub ofthe same, 1 and this rimor flange is arranged concentric with the axis of the wheel and at the periphery of the latter, so that the swinging arms of the clutch mechanism, hereinafter described, will be free to not on the said peripheral rim.

Idesignates aswinging lever, which is pivoted at or near its middle upon a suitable post or arm, '2', that is arranged in a horizontal position and extends outwardly from the shifting plate, and to the ends of this swinging lever are secured knobs or finger-pieces i, which are to be grasped by the hand of thebrakeman, or to which a pull-cord, hereinafter described, is connected to operate the said lever. The inner end of this post is rigidly affixed to the horizontal arm j ofa vertical plate, J, which is arranged immediately over the drive-wheel G, and arranged out of contact therewith by means of suitable posts,j, that are affixed to the base D, the said vertical plate being provided on its side opposite to the arm] with another arm, j, which secured by the same screw or shaft, 1 that supports the drivingwheel G, whereby the vertical plate is very rigidly and lirmly secured or held in place. The swinging lever Iis free to move in a vertical line at its ends, and to the lever is affixed a segment, K, which is also supported on the shalt which forms the center thereof, and when the lever I is moved or oscillated this segment is also moved by the lever, so as to actuate a gearwheel or pinion, 7:, that is journaled on the hub of the drivewhcel H, so as to rotate loosely on the hub, as will be readily understood. The segment K is provided with the arms 1. which serveto support the toothed rim, and the inner ends of the arms 7; are formed into ahub,which is fitted on the shaft or post ofthe lever Land the lever and segment are normally forced away from the drivewheels and held in proper posit-ion relative thereto, and returned to their normal position, when pull on the operating cord is released,by means of a coiled spring, L, and a fixed nut, L, the former of which is interposed between the segment and the plate J, and the latter is screwed on the extcriorly-threaded end of the post i of the lever I, against the hub of the arm H, said nut L having a bindingscrew, Z, which works in a suitable threaded opening therein and binds on thepost [,to more securely hold the nut in place. I

)I designates an arm which is fitted on the post and arranged exteriorly to the swinging lever. This arm normally depends from the post inan inclined line or position, and at its lower end it is provided with lateral pins m m, the former of which serves to limit the downward movement or play of the segment K and the lever I by one of the arms 76' of the segment coming in contact with the said pin, while the latter pin, m,projects through a slot, m in the case, and serves to indicate the position of the arm on a scale, M, on one of the sides of the inelosing-case A. The arm M is fitted tightly on the post i, and it can be turned thereon by pressure of the hand, so that the arm and its stop-pin can be ad j usted around the post, and the length of the stroke or movement ofthe lever and its segment can be varied to feed the ribbon to a greater or less extent, as may be desired. It will be seen that when one end of the swinging lever I'is depressed theLopposite end thereof will be elevated, and as the segment is affixed to the lever it will be actuated simultaneously therewith to rotate the pinion of the clutch mechanism, and thus move the drivewheels and the pinion of one of the drnnrshafts; and upon the rel also of the pull or tension of the operatingcord on the lever the spiral spring L, which is connected at one end to the segment, will return the segment to its normal position and raise the lever I, so that the apparatus is in condition for instant operation again.

N designates the clutch mechanism, whichis arranged or inclosed within the peripheral rim or flange of the drivewheel H, which it is designed to actuate, and this clutch mechanism consists ol'an oscillating disk or plate, a, the radial integral arms 11, the swinging arms a, which are loosely fitted at their inner ends in notches or recesses 11" in the edge of the central disk or plate, a, and arranged between the rigid arms and the retraeting springs n, intermediate of the rigid and swinging arms. The central disk or plate, a, is provided witha suitable opening, through which is passed the hub h of the drivewvheel H, and theswinging arms a are beveled or inclined in opposite directions at their outer ends, so that one of the edges thereof can come in contact with the inside periphery of the rim or flange to rotate the latter, as presently described, while the rigid arms terminatea short distance within the rim or flange, so that theyare out of contact therewith and do not atl'ect the operation of the same. The central disk or plate is fitted loosely on the hub of the drive-wheel, so as to rotate independently of the same, and the said disk is connected with the pinion I; in any suitable manner, so ast'o oscillate or move simultaneously therewith when the latter is actuated by the segment and lever. The free ends of the swinging lever I are fitted between guides O, which are carried by the shifting plate. These guides are arranged at the ends of the swinging lever, and comprise segmental plates or bars, which are arranged parallel with each other, (see Fig. 6,) and between which the lever is arranged, and the extremities of these segmental guide plates are aflixed to posts 0, which are secured upon the shifting plate to support the guide-plates out of contact with the driving-wheels. The swinging-lcver is provided at its ends wit-h hooks, eyes, or other equivalent devices, i, to which one end of an operating-cord, i (see Fig. 6,) is connected, which leads to a suitable point in the car or coach within convenient reach of the brakeman or conductor, who is to operate the apparatus by pulling upon the cord.

P designates a br'ake, which comprises a j curred piece or plate of metal that bears against the outside of the peripheraltlange of the drive-wheel H, and one end of this brake 4 is fitted between brackets or posts 1) and p,

which are secured upon the shifting plate and arranged a short distance apart, one of the saidbrackets having a bindi ng-screw, 19 which bears againstthe brake to hold it very securely in place.

R designates the alarm mechanism, which i. is also carried by the shifting plate and adaptpreferably the wheel H.

ed tobe operated by one of the driving-wheels,

This alarm mechanism consists of a small gearyrheel or pinion, R, that is journaled on a suitable shaft or spindle that is secured in the shifting plate, a

ratchet, r, affixed to the gear-wheel and rotating therewith, an oscillating block, 1", which is journaled on a pin that is affixed in the shifting plate, and provided with an arm, W,

which is adapted to be actuated by the ratchet to oscillate the block, and a bell-hammer, r

, and a hell, that is fitted on the upper threaded end of a standard, q, and held thereon by means of clamping-nuts q. The gear-wheel I 'R"meshes with the driving-wheel H, and when the latter is rotated the gear-wheel R is likewise actuated, and the ratchet impinges upon the arm r of the oscillating block to move the bell-hammer backward and forward and cause it to strike the bell, and thus give an alarm. to attract the attention of the passengers to the apparatus and notify them of the name of the station. The bell-hammer is normally im pelled forward and in contact with the hell by means of a coiled spring, g which is coiled around the pin on which the block isjou'rnaled,

and when the .ratchet is rotated it merely withdraws the hammer from the bell, and as each tooth of the ratchet releases the hammer .thespring impels it forward against the bell to, alarm.

This being the construction of my improved.

; stationrindicator, the operation thereof is as follows: The traveling ribbon is first wound uponv one of the spools or drums by fitting a suitable key or implement to the shaft or spindle thereof and turning the said drum until the name of the first station is exposed to view 4 through the inclosingcase, through the viewing-opening therein, care having been first tance.

taken that the drivingwheels G H are out of gear with the pinions. on the drum-shafts by moving the shifting plate a very slight dis- This operation is performed by the brakeman before the train starts onits trip, and after the apparatus has been adj ustedthe shifting plate is moved so that one of the gearyvheels, G or H, meshes with one of the pinions of one of the feeding drums or spools. As the train approaches a station the brakeman or conductor pulls upon the cord to depress one end of the swinging lever I and move the segment, which in turn actuates the clutch mechanism to feed the drum H,and also the drum G, whereby the pinion and the drum in gear with one of the driving-Wheels will. be rotated a limited distance. The downward movement of one'end of the swinging lever islimited by one end thereof coming in contact with one of the posts of the segmental guides or segmentK, fast to the lever, coming in contact with the pins m of the stop-arm M, and

simultaneously with the feeding of the traveling ribbon the alarm mechanism is actuated to attract or draw the attention of the travelers to the apparatus. When the strain or pull on the cord is released,the lever and segment are returned to their normal positions by the retracting'spring L, and the clutch is released from the drive-wheel and also returnedto its normal position by the segment K, actuating the gear pinion 70, which is fast on the hub ofthe clutch wheel or disk 11., so that the apparatus is again in condition for instant operation. These operations are continued each time a train approaches or passes a station, and upon the return-trip of the train the brakeman shifts or moves the shifting plate so that the other drive-wheel will actuate the spool or drum that has been thrown out of use before, and when the cord is pulled the ribbon is drawn or pulled in the reverse direction, to expose the names on the ribbon in reverse order to that in which they were displayed on the pre vious trip of the train.

My invention can also be adapted to street and other cars, and the names or numerals of the-streets instead of stations can be inscribed;

on the ribbon.

Various slight changes in the form and pro portion of parts and details of construction can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

- what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a station-indicator, the combination of the drums or spools, a shifting plate ar-.

, one side of the drums, the driving-wheels carried by the plate and geared together, a swinging lever supported on the shifting plate and arranged out. of line with the drive-Wheels, mechanism intermediate of the lever and. one

. of the driving-wheels for operating the latter,

and alarm mechanism actuated simultaneously with the driving-wheels, substantially as described.

3. In a station-indicator, the combination of the drums or spools, a traveling ribbon supported thereon, a drive-wheel geared to one of the drums, a swinging lever arranged to one side of the drive-wheel, a toothed segment connected with the swinging lever and actuated thereby, and clutch mechanism geared to the segment for rotating the drive-whwl, sub

stantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

-t. In a station-imlicator, the combination of the drums or spools, a traveling ribbon, a driving-wheel geared-to one of the drums, a swinging lever arranged to one side of the drive-wheel, a toothed segment connected to the lever and actuated simultaneously therewith, clutch mechanism geared to the segment for actuating the drivewvheel, a spring for returning the lever and segment to their normal position and releasing the clutch mechanism from the drive-wheel, and the alarm mechanism actuated by the drivewheel, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a stationindicator, the combination of the drums or spools, a drive-wheel geared to one of the drums, a swinging lever, a seg ment connected to the lever, arranged to one side of the drive-wheel and actuated thereby, clutch mechanism geared to and controlled by the segment and adapted to rotate the drivewheel, alarm mechanism geared to the drivewheel, a spring connected with the lever for returning the same and the segment to their normal positions and simultaneously release the clutch mechanism, and a fixed arm, M, having the stop-pin arranged in the path of the segment for limiting the movement thereof, Substantially as described.

6. In a station-indicator, the combination of the drums or .spools, a traveling ribbon thereon, a shifting plate arranged'to one side of the drums and ribbon, the geared drivingwheels carried by the plate and geared alternately with one of the said feed-drums, alarm mechanism actuated by one of the drive-wheels simultaneously with the feeding of the traveling ribbon, a swinging lever, and clutch meehanism intermediate 01' thelever and one of the driving-wheels, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

7. In a stationindieator, the combination of a swinginglever, a segment actuated simultaneously therewith, a spring for returning the lever and segment to their normal conditions when a pull upon the lever is released, clutch mechanism geared with the segment and actuated thereby, a drive-wheel rotated by the clutch mechanism, the drums, and a ribbon, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

S. In a station-indicator, the combination of the drums, a drive-wheel geared to one of the drums, a traveling ribbon, a swinging lever arranged out of line with the drive-wheel,

a segment actuated simultaneously with the lever, and clutch mechanism geared to the segment and arranged to engage the drivewheel, and comprising the central disk, the rigid arms, the swinging arms, and the spring. substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a station-imlicator, the combination of the drums or spools, a traveling ribbon, a shifting plate, the geared drive-wheels carried by the plate arranged to one side of drums and ribbon, a swinging lover, a segment actuated simultaneously with the lever, a spring for returning the lever and segment to their normal conditions, and clutch mechanism geared to the segment and having the springactuated swinging arms adapted to bind against one of the drive-wheels when the segment is actuated to feed the said drivingwheel, and released therefrom upon the retrograde movement of the segment, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

10. In a station-indicator, the combination of the drums, the traveling ribbon, a shifting plate arranged to one side of the drums and ribbon, the driving-wheels carried thereby and geared together, a swinging lever, a segment actuated simultaneously therewith, an adjustable arm for limiting and varying the stroke of the segment and lever, clutch mechanism intermediate of the segment and one of the drive-wheels, and alarm mechanism actuated simultaneously with the movement of the ribbon, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

11. In a station indicator, the combination of the drums, a traveling ribbon thereon, the shifting plate, the driving wheels carried thereby, a rotary cam or tumbler bearing against the shifting plate arranged to one side of the drums and ribbon, for moving the latter, a swinging lever pivoted on the plate, the segmental guides for the lever, and clutch mechanism intern'iediate of the lever and one of the drive-wheels for rotating the latter, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

12. In a stationindicator, the combination of the drums, a traveling ribbon thereon, the shifting plate, a swinging lever carried thereby, the drivingwheels geared together and carried by the plate arranged to one side of the drums and ribbon, clutch mechanism intermediate of the lever and one of the drivewheels, and alarm mechanism comprising the gear-wheel having a ratchet, an oscillating block having an arm and thebell-hammer, and a bell supported on a standard, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDVIN R. THURMAN.

\Vitnesses: I

XVM. N. Moons, H. T. Benn-man.

IIO 

